Boblo dock continues to cause concern for council members

The condition of the former Boblo Island dock on Front Road South continues to be of concern to members of town council.

Councillor Diane Pouget brought forth concerns from residents in the area, noting the decaying dock was of particular issue during recent wind storms.

“During the last wind storm, they couldn’t believe the roof didn’t come off,” said Pouget.

Pouget, also a member of the town’s parks committee, said the dock is of interest to that group as well. She said both residents were willing to come before town council with their concerns if that would be of any assistance to getting the problem resolved and that the parks committee is willing to help as well.

The current state of the former Boblo ferry dock is of concern to town council. The town will reach out to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to explain the issues the town has with the dock.

CAO John Miceli said he received an e-mail from the Department of Oceans and Fisheries prior to the April 10 council meeting but did not have time to read it prior to the meeting that night. He said he would read what was stated and report back to town council.

A meeting is needed on the subject, believed Councillor Rick Fryer, and suggested the Ministry of Natural Resources be involved as well. He said material and debris is going upstream.

“It’s circling back in the bay there and landing on people’s properties,” he said.

Fryer, also the chair of the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA), said that agency is looking to construct a “viewpoint” and also said it could make a good fishing pier for Amherstburg residents. He wondered if council would be interested in working towards such a project.

Miceli said the dock is failing due to neglect by the federal government and questioned whether using town money was a solution. He suggested consulting further with the federal government to see what they will do to repair the former Boblo dock.